[LiveAction]

Hopefully not... But if we do, we will be moving from the Northenr VA/DC area. We are a family of 5 2 boys 16/14 and a girl 10 at the time of the move. We are a blended family with kids that are half black but not an interracial couple in the black/white sense.

We plan on only being there for 3 years so do not want to buy. The rental market looks really bleak for a family needing a 4-5 bedroom. Anyone have any insight on the housing?

Also, should there be any worries about the race thing?

And our sons participate in football/wrestling/lacrosse. Are those sports available in the high schools?

[LiveAction]

OP here, the hopefully not comment is because we would prefer to stay where we are currently. Sorry if that comment was offensive.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by LiveAction

OP here, the hopefully not comment is because we would prefer to stay where we are currently. Sorry if that comment was offensive.

Traverse City is pretty far from Grand Rapids (not really in the same region). You should post this in the Michigan general section for more responses. Or I can move it there if you would like.

[LiveAction]

Originally Posted by magellan

Traverse City is pretty far from Grand Rapids (not really in the same region). You should post this in the Michigan general section for more responses. Or I can move it there if you would like.

Please do if you think that will get me more feedback?

[Crusty Curmudgeon]

First of all,let me say that this forum should consider a sub forum more relevant to those of us in northern Michigan,including of course, the Traverse City area.

That said, I have lived in northern Michigan,just east of Traverse City for about 30 years, and it has always been a very tight rental market.

Part of that reason is that many desirable properties,especially waterfront, fetch relatively very high amounts for weekly rentals that tend to constrict the supply of rental houses on an annual basis.

It is not uncommon for desirable rental houses such as these to get well over $3,000.00 a week,and higher.

If you hope to find an affordable rental house near "TC",you're going to have to search surrounding bedroom communities such as Kingsley,Elk Rapids,Grawn,Kalkaska,Rapid City,etc.

A house the size you need is going to rent for at least $1500.00 a month, and that won't be lakefront,or in "TC" itself.

Greater choices might be found after Labor Day,but June is prime time,and you are not likely to find anything desirable,or close to "TC".

I also suggest that you peruse Craig's List for northern Michigan rentals.Watch out for scammers!

With regard to your concern about racial issues,the "TC" area is generally a very tolerant area,and not given to prejudice of any kind.

Good luck!

[LiveAction]

Originally Posted by Crusty Curmudgeon

First of all,let me say that this forum should consider a sub forum more relevant to those of us in northern Michigan,including of course, the Traverse City area.

That said, I have lived in northern Michigan,just east of Traverse City for about 30 years, and it has always been a very tight rental market.

Part of that reason is that many desirable properties,especially waterfront, fetch relatively very high amounts for weekly rentals that tend to constrict the supply of rental houses on an annual basis.

It is not uncommon for desirable rental houses such as these to get well over $3,000.00 a week,and higher.

If you hope to find an affordable rental house near "TC",you're going to have to search surrounding bedroom communities such as Kingsley,Elk Rapids,Grawn,Kalkaska,Rapid City,etc.

A house the size you need is going to rent for at least $1500.00 a month, and that won't be lakefront,or in "TC" itself.

Greater choices might be found after Labor Day,but June is prime time,and you are not likely to find anything desirable,or close to "TC".

I also suggest that you peruse Craig's List for northern Michigan rentals.Watch out for scammers!

With regard to your concern about racial issues,the "TC" area is generally a very tolerant area,and not given to prejudice of any kind.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info, are there any gated communities in the area?

[magellan]

Originally Posted by LiveAction

Thanks for the info, are there any gated communities in the area?

There are quite a few gated communities in the TC area but I don't know that you'll find any homes to rent in them. A lot of them are on Lake Michigan or the two Traverse bays. The gates are more to keep gawkers out than for security, since crime is pretty low in that area.

Personally if I had an employment opportunity in the Traverse area, I'd pick that in a hot second over living in Northern VA/DC area. Just the scenery alone is not even comparable. I love visiting the city of DC...beautiful architecture, restaurants, museums... but just to visit. You can keep the gawd awful heat and swampland humidity May through September, and the horrible traffic. Plus just the pace of life is so much better, especially for kids. Instead of spending 3 hours in your car every day commuting, you can literally live here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=leel...r=1.25#imgrc=_

[Softballfan]

Originally Posted by LiveAction

Hopefully not... But if we do, we will be moving from the Northenr VA/DC area. We are a family of 5 2 boys 16/14 and a girl 10 at the time of the move. We are a blended family with kids that are half black but not an interracial couple in the black/white sense.

We plan on only being there for 3 years so do not want to buy. The rental market looks really bleak for a family needing a 4-5 bedroom. Anyone have any insight on the housing?

Also, should there be any worries about the race thing?

And our sons participate in football/wrestling/lacrosse. Are those sports available in the high schools?

The Traverse City High schools have strong football programs. Traverse City St. Francis has won state championships in recent years....its a smaller school than the two bigger public schools, West and Central. Wrestling is offered, as well as lacrosse in a co-op between West and Central high schools. The only “problem”with West or Central athletics is the travel distance for away games. It can be quite lengthy.

[michmoldman]

If you do not like unmatched beauty, great food choices, more wineries and breweries than you could ever imagine, limitless outdoor activities, and just an amazing place to live you better do your best to stay where you are. If you like being suffocated with people and traffic, this is not a place you will like.

[LiveAction]

Originally Posted by magellan

There are quite a few gated communities in the TC area but I don't know that you'll find any homes to rent in them. A lot of them are on Lake Michigan or the two Traverse bays. The gates are more to keep gawkers out than for security, since crime is pretty low in that area.

Personally if I had an employment opportunity in the Traverse area, I'd pick that in a hot second over living in Northern VA/DC area. Just the scenery alone is not even comparable. I love visiting the city of DC...beautiful architecture, restaurants, museums... but just to visit. You can keep the gawd awful heat and swampland humidity May through September, and the horrible traffic. Plus just the pace of life is so much better, especially for kids. Instead of spending 3 hours in your car every day commuting, you can literally live here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=leel...r=1.25#imgrc=_

We are about 40 minutes on a clean drive, west of DC. I only have about a 24 minute commute. I think the biggest thing for me is the slower pace, diversity and the lack of rental market. We currently live in a gated golf community and the houses in the area that I am seeing are prettt old and even a trailer park with redone trailers inside to make them look like homes. It’s going to be a huge shock